The World Bank has approved an additional $108 million in financing to support two key development initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: $78 million for the Rural Accessibility Project (KPRAP) and $30 million for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development (KITE) Project.
The funding aims to enhance access to essential services such as healthcare, education, markets, and employment, while strengthening the province’s resilience to natural disasters.
In a statement released Tuesday, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine emphasized that both projects are instrumental in promoting climate and economic resilience. “By rehabilitating vital rural road infrastructure and boosting disaster preparedness, KPRAP and KITE are not only improving access to critical services but also creating local employment opportunities,” he said.
The $78 million allocated to KPRAP will be used to upgrade and rehabilitate rural roads, ensuring safer, climate-resilient infrastructure. These improvements are expected to enhance mobility, especially for girls accessing schools, and connect communities more efficiently to health centers and markets.
According to the World Bank, the project is projected to benefit approximately 1.76 million people. Muhammad Bilal Paracha, the project’s task team leader, reiterated the Bank’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s provincial development goals through targeted and sustainable investments.
